The UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Creativity as a driving force for sustainable development

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a world in itself, with 180 cities in 72 countries. These cities place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their local development plans and actively cooperate with other cities in the Network.

The Network in Canada

The Network's cities are organized into seven categories: crafts and folk arts, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music. Three Canadian cities are part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, in three different areas:

Montréal, Creative City of Design since 2006

Quebec City, Creative City of Literature since 2017

Toronto, Creative City of Media Arts since 2017

Their sustainable urban development projects include international conferences and competitions, financial support to creators and designers, and collaboration with other creative cities around the world.

The role of design in Montréal

How design shapes everyday life in Montréal, a UNESCO Creative City of Design since 2006.